A February Birthday

Keats turned nine on Saturday! The plans this boy had for his birthday were so very Keats. His list was impossible, but thankfully he was pleased with what we were actually able to squeeze into his special day, a day he has been counting down the days towards for over a month.

In a delightful turn of events (especially for this homeschooling mommy), Seth decided that he wanted Keats to have a birthday scavenger hunt. He orchestrated the whole thing, and despite having always been a reluctant writer, he actually wrote clues (that rhymed!) for each stop along the hunt. I would love to share some of them here, but Seth forbid me to. Besides, this is Keats’ birthday post.

Saturday, while the skies were beautiful and clear, Jonny and I (okay, mostly Jonny) made Keats’ requested cake. He asked for a chocolate bundt cake with raspberry sauce, chocolate glaze, and homemade whipped cream. Just as the cake went in the oven and Jonny and Seth were ready to head out to put the scavenger hunt together, snow started flying like crazy. Not to be deterred, Seth hunted down plastic baggies to put the clues in and placed Keats’ birthday gifts in a trash bag. Then, he and Jonny headed out into the woods on the four wheeler to set things up. By the time everything was in place, the snow had stopped. It was really, really cold though. And that is why Jonny ended up walking the entire hunt holding a wool blanket around his body (at my request) to keep Silas extra warm (and that is what inspired this.)

Keats raced through the hunt and it was hard to keep up. We all had fun watching him try to figure out the clues and laughing at the times when Seth pretty much gave them away. There were gifts at the end of the hunt: requested pajama pants and a metal detector so that he can join Seth on his treasure hunts. For fun, Jonny had buried a standing liberty quarter that I bought at the local coin shop (Keats knew as soon as he eventually dug it up that Jonny had buried it–it was in a labeled cardboard slip.) As we stood around in the cold though waiting for Keats to find the coin, with Jonny not remembering exactly where he had buried it, things began to feel a little ridiculous. But soon enough, the coin was unearthed and we headed home for cake. (The cake was really good!)

I don’t think Keats will ever forget this birthday. It was a big deal that his big brother created this scavenger hunt for him.

Happy Birthday Keatsy baby. We love you so. much. And yes, of course you can have your very own treasure hunting post.

Great idea Seth! I bet your brother just LOVED his Birthday scavenger hunt! Many happy returns Keats, Happy Birthday! Next year you’ll be in the double digits! Don’t get there too fast! Here’s to a great year, from snowy Colorado!

Happy Birthday to Keats! February babies are wonderful…of course I am biased 😉 It looks like you had a wonderful day. Your photos are beautiful. I also love your blog header; the red coat against the snowy branches is stunning.

Happy Birthday! It’s nice to have birthday outside in February! My son turned 8 on 5th of January and we spent also his special day outside on the beach. It started to blizzard but it was interesting and the kids loved it!

Happy Birthday Keats! It was a great idea that scavenger hunt….Speaking of metal detectors, when you posted about Seth and his findings I had James read your post with me. I asked him to comment in the end , I wanted him to reply. He was really laconic. Mum: James what would you like to say to Seth? James: I want a metal detector.
End of it!

Awesome! We did a scavenger hunt for last year’s presents (um… they weren’t wrapped and I felt so badly but then we quickly did clues and hid presents without wrapping them). Our kids (twins) just said they wanted that again for this year, that is was the BEST! Bet Keats always remembers this birthday!

Happy Birthday Keats, we share the same birthday but add 30 years on to mine. Looks like everyone had a wonderful day, what a thoughtful brother you have. Cake sounds delicious!! I got applesauce, chocolate chip and walnut muffins. Those handknit jumpers look so beautiful, or should I say ‘handsome’ on you boys.

Happy Birthday to dear Keats! And happy birthing day to you, mama! What a wonderful gift to give. It sounds like a simple fantastic celebration (but I must admit it looks so very cold to this southwesterner).

Happy Happy Birthday, Keats! I hope it was a beautiful day…it looks like it was such fun. I have a six year old here who loves scavenger hunts, too, and we have made similar ones for his big day. We have also hidden puzzle pieces in plastic bags (November birthday) and hidden them for the children to find. Good times. And, Ginny, happy birthing day to you! A lovely family you share with us:)
xo Jules
P.S. I think that Keats has just about the best name ever!!!

Happy Birthday Keats! What an awesome birthday party. Such a wonderful idea for a scavenger hunt and the fact that big brother put it all together is even better. Your cake sounds simply delicious too. Glad you all had a wonderful day!!

That’s a lovely idea Seth had to celebrate his brother’s birthday! It seems very generous indeed. And I think it’s a great idea to share an hooby with siblings, that will bring them closer together!
Happy birthday!

Don’t little boys just LOVE scavenger hunts? We have done them in our city yard for a few birthdays. My older son has made a few “just because” scavenger hunts for my younger son now, but they are getting to the point that they need more space (a space like yours would be ideal). I am debating doing the next one at our local conservation area if I can get permission.
Thanks for the inspiration

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Hello! My name is Ginny. I believe that when you slow down and savor the small things, you don’t have to wish for a different life; you can discover beauty in the life you already have. {Find out more here…}

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